Lac Blanc France

Have you ever wondered how to capture that glassy look on a mountain lake? Lac Blanc in the French Alps is the perfect place to practice this. The lake is famous for its mirror effect. When the wind is still, the water shows a perfect copy of the Mont Blanc mountains. In my painting, I wanted to show that crisp reflection. I kept my brush strokes very horizontal to make the water look flat and calm. This helps the eye understand that we are looking at a reflection and not just more rocks.

The colours in the water here are quite special. It is not just a simple blue. The water shifts from a deep turquoise in the shadows to a milky blue where the sun hits it. This happens because of the fine sediment from the melting snow nearby. To get this look, I used a mix of cobalt blue and a little bit of viridian green. I also added some white paint at the end to show the bright highlights on the water surface and the cold snow on the peaks.

A student recently asked me how to paint those big, bright rocks in the foreground without making them look too heavy. The secret is to use very light washes first. I used a touch of yellow ochre and burnt sienna to give the rocks some warmth. Then, I added darker shadows using ultramarine blue mixed with burnt umber. This creates a nice contrast. It makes the rocks look like they are sitting just under the clear water. I like how the dark shapes of the mountains stand out against the bright blue sky.

This original painting is currently for sale. If you would like to own this piece or want more details about the size and price, please contact me for more information. I always enjoy hearing from fellow painters who love the mountains as much as I do. It was a joy to work on these cold, crisp colours and try to get that famous symmetry just right on the paper.